Just imagine lighted tiki torches leaning slightly in the sand, flickering brightly against the night sky filled with stars. Beach chairs sitting storytellers and listeners -facing each other in a circle with distant waves, and palm trees swaying in the trade winds telling those tales from the islands of the world.

OK, we live in the hill country of Texas made up of oaks, cedar, cactus, and limestone with a pinch of soil to hold it all together. These tropical dreams come often to me and the tales just make it happen! We lived on the island of Oahu, Hawaii for almost three years when Dad was stationed at Hickam AFB. I was a preteen enjoying the island life. We loved visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center mainly because of the Hawaiian Tutus (grandmothers) telling stories of Pele, the Volcano Goddess, Kama Pa'a, the Pig God, the Menehunes of Hawaii (little people), and Maui the Fisherman.

Islands in the tropics are also known for their spooky tales. It's been said that telling frightening stories causes those goose bumps to rise on your skin, actually cooling your body - helpful if you live where it's hot.

Hawaiian and other tropical Favorites for Storytelling

The tiki torches are lit, ocean waves in the distance, toes in the sand, stories waiting to be told! Mahalo.